BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid Spied Testing
Recently, AutoGuide‘s spy photographers caught the BMW 3 Series plug-in hybrid variant cold weather testing.
Leveraging the technology from its i sub-brand, BMW is poised to equip several of its models with plug-in hybrid variants in the near future and it’s no surprise that the popular 3 Series is on the list. At the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, the German automaker showed off an X5 plug-in hybrid eDrive concept, but since our spy photographers have also caught the X5 plug-in hybrid testing, it appears that it’s closer to production than BMW would like us to believe.
SEE ALSO: BMW X5 Plug-In Hybrid Hits the Streets in Spy Photos
The X5 eDrive concept featured a turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood paired to a 95-hp electric motor. It is likely that the 3 Series will share the same hybrid powertrain, though it’s unknown what the total system output is considering BMW kept the specs of the gasoline engine under wraps. What it did reveal however was that the X5 eDrive concept could reach speeds up to 75 mph and could drive up to 19 miles on electric power alone.
GALLERY: BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid Spy Photos
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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